As an Olmsted County Resident I refuse to sit idly by and watch Board waste tax revenue by locking up illnesses such as alcoholism/addiction at the cost of up to 50,000 per year. When it has been proven time and again that those who qualify for the services of a drug court do not get better in jail, but get better with treatment and supportive services which cost far less than incarceration. Olmsted County Community Corrections already work with eligible offenders in a 'Highly Structured,' and monitored treatment option which is held in the detention center. Let us now bring the courts into the mix like Counties all over this nation..

What’s Wrong With The Felony Murder RULE - Common Sense: 1. It is fundamentally unfair and in violation of basic principles of individual criminal culpability to hold one felon liable for the unseen and unagreed-to results of another person’s action. 2. The felony murder rule OPERATES as a matter of law upon proof of the intent to commit a felony to relieve the prosecution of its burden of proving intent to kill, which is a necessary element of murder. 3. The intention to commit a felony does not equal the intention to kill, nor is the intention to commit a felony, by itself, sufficient to establish a charge of murder. 4. The felony murder rule violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of due process, more specifically, equal protection of the law, because no defense is allowed on the charge of first-degree murder, only the underlying felony. 5. The purpose of creating degrees of murder is to punish with increased severity the more culpable forms of murder, but an accidental or unknown killing during the COMMISSION or attempted commission of a felony is punished more severely than all other murder charges with exception to first degree murder. 6. The felony murder rule erodes the relation between criminal liability and moral culpability in that it punishes all homicides in the commission, or attempted commission, of the proscribed felonies, whether intentional, unintentional, or accidental, without proving the relation between the homicide and the perpetrator’s state of mind. 7. Holding one or many criminally liable for the bad results of an act which differs greatly from the intended results is based on a CONCEPT of culpability which is totally at odds with the general principles of jurisprudence. 8. The basic rule of culpability is further violated when felony murder is categorized as first-degree murder because all other first-degree murders (carrying equal punishment) require a showing of premeditation, deliberation, and willfulness, while felony murder only requires a showing of intent to do the underlying felony. 9. While the felony murder rule survives in California, and other states, the numerous modifications and restrictions of it by some states courts and legislatures throughout the United States reflect dissatisfaction with the basic harshness and injustice of the doctrine and call into question its continued existence. 10. The felony murder rule can be used by prosecutors in a manner so as to cause grossly disproportionate sentencing, depending on the circumstances of each individual case. 11. The felony murder rule is unconstitutional because the presumption of innocence is thrown out. The prosecutor must only prove intent to commit the original felony; once done, first degree murder attaches to the underlying felony even though intent, (mens rea,) to commit murder does not have to be proved. 12. The felony murder rule is unconstitutional because it violates the Eighth Amendment: cruel and unusual punishment, grossly disproportionate sentencing to the crime(s) actually committed. 13. The felony murder rule bears no rational relationship or equity in its two penalties, with the penalties of other California murder laws, including, at times, the charge of first-degree murder.

Crimes committed by people serving in law enforcement is at an all time high, we see some of the most heinous crimes committed by law enforcement go unpunished. Most of these crimes are investigated by the Internal Affairs of the same department in which the suspects belong to. Asking the police department to investigated themselves of any wrong doing is like asking a child to tell you when they have done something wrong even when the evidence is overwhelmingly against them. Not all cops are bad but, we cannot go on thinking that all cops are good and have the best intentions at heart. They have the badge but they are still human and are to abide by the same laws they swore to uphold and we have many incidences where that has not been the case. What's worse is that these offenders are given a slap on the wrist if that and are sent back on the street to cause more chaos. In the last 7 months I have seen beatings, shooting, illegal raids, rape, murder, drug related crimes, drunk driving all by cops and in many of these cases were investigated by Internal Affairs where there was "No Wrong Doing" and every time the city aka the citizens have to shell out millions upon millions of dollars in these cases where there was "No Wrong Doing". I think it is time that we hold EVERYONE accountable, convict the bad cops so the good cops can do their jobs without the tension, pressure and dangers caused by those who believe they are above the law.

This concerns the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the inmates. For example, unsanitary living conditions, lack of and improper medical care, safety issues because of understaffing and improper training. Family rights are being violated, and there are inconsistent policies regarding visitation. For example, former employees are prohibited from visiting inmates or marrying inmates, post employment. If you have not violated policy or disrupted the order of the facilities you should be allowed to visit and marry. Families should have longer visits. Women should be able to bring in feminine products and family members shouldn't have problems using the restroom. Also families should have the privileges of having family portraits for memories. Some children and loved ones will never be able to have family portraits.

Today, a St. Louis grand jury refused to indict Mike Brown's killer — Police Officer Darren Wilson. On Aug. 9, the nation was horrified to learn that Mike Brown was targeted and killed by police as he walked down the street with a friend. Now his killer may never be held accountable — unless President Obama and U.S. Attorney General Holder take action. The Department of Justice has the power to arrest and prosecute Officer Wilson under federal criminal charges. Raise your voice today to ensure our national leaders secure justice for Mike Brown immediately.

I believe that Edward Snowden is a patriot who has stood valiantly against what he believes to be unconstitutional and oppressive practices by agents of the United States Government. I have been affected by those abuses, as has every other American who makes phone calls and uses the Internet. Our freedom is at stake.

We want the Kansas City D.A. Office to know that the real perpetrator is still free while the wrong man sit in prison for a crime he did not commit.

It's not against the Law to video tape someone without them knowing. It's agaiinst the law to video tape with audio on it. With Comcast having video with audio in people's homes recording and with hidden cameras in people's homes watching care givers with their children making sure they are not abused, and with all the people recording other people on their phones with audio and posting them on line without consent, this should not be a felony. And Michael Lyon should not be in jail serving time for what the whole rest of the world is doing. Court Says It's Okay To Secretly Record Conversation If Done For Legitimate Reasons from the i-may-or-may-not-be-recording-this dept While there have been a lot of concerns lately about efforts to misuse "wiretapping" laws that forbid any recordings of people without their knowledge, it appears at least a few courts are recognizing how silly that is. Yet another court has now said that secretly recording a conversation -- in this case with an iPhone -- is okay, assuming there was no crime committed with the recording, and the recording was for a legitimate purpose. As the court noted: "The defendant must have the intent to use the illicit recording to commit a tort of crime beyond the act of recording itself." That makes sense. The act of recording alone, shouldn't be a criminal act, as it really depends on what is being done with the recording. And, in an age where not only is recording everything easier, but for some becoming standard, requiring permission to record all audio seems like an outdated concept. People are recording other people with audio on and posting it all over the web like this and these people aren't in jail for it, here are examples of videos on the web and FB Please watch this video and tell me that this isn't illegal but it's okay to post all over the Internet on YouTube http://youtu.be/rPZ4zJ7mT2I http://youtu.be/Jy97oEVUXSM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vrORmQduIk4

This issue affects all of us, the School of Business should not be in the business of family incarceration!

I am starting this petition for the people who have committed non-violent felony crimes here in Arizona who have had judgment set aside. Every time I apply for a job, even though I had my judgment set aside, it still comes up in a non-favorable way. I really think that for those who went in front of a judge and pleased the courts to grant them to set aside judgment have paid their debt to society in the court's eyes. They shouldn't have to pay with the rest of their lives. All I am asking is that it to not show for jobs and minor stuff. Federal and State uses are fine. Even though I currently hold a secret clearance with DoD, it was so hard for me to find a job and it took almost a year. I almost lost everything, plus it was so hard on my family. I understand the mistakes I have made. On the other hand, I have paid my debt and pleased the courts, yet eleven years later it still feels like I am being punished for it. So please help me change this so those that the courts seem fit to grant to set aside judgment are able to get jobs and support their families without the fear of losing the opportunity because of the mistakes they have made in the past. That's what the judgment set aside law is there for so let it really work. Thank you for your time. Please sign and help us change this law so our judgment is really set aside.

The city of Adelanto is already home to the High Desert's Prison Industrial Complex. Within the small city that is Adelanto, there are 4 jail facilities with over 9,325 cages in total. Yet somehow, the City is looking to expand.... Adelanto plans to rush approval for a 3,264-cage jail project on Wednesday, November 19th. A vote that has not received adequate public input or consideration and is to be held before the new city council members take their positions! Records have reported that crime rates are at their lowest and Proposition 47 is expected to reduce the prison population in CA. Is there really a need for new prisons when crime rates are down and prisons will be significantly reduced? NO! Instead the project is a product of the interest of the biggest for profit corrections agency, the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). Their developer Buck Johns is the main individual trying to push this new prison onto the city disguised as a request of LA County, which is far from it. LA County is not requesting a new prison. Adelanto needs to end with the shady deals. We demand more transperency amongst the City and better educational and economic opportunities, not more jails or Prisons! Enough is Enough! YA BASTA!

It has been well documented that inmates have a better transition to the prison system and life behind bars if they continue to have family visitation and support. Even though Massachusetts has varying visitation times at each DOC facility, it does not include any way for the families to bond beyond a hour and a half visit. In addition, the visiting rooms are ill-equipped to foster parent bonding between the inmate and his/her children. An Overnight Family Visitation Program will assist the inmate and his/her family in several different ways and establish the Mass DOC as one of the states that promotes preserving the family unit within prison policies and rehabilitation methods for the inmates. The United States in now #1 in the world in the incarceration rate of it's citizens. This translates to millions of children and families without father's and mothers present in their day to day life. In addition, it has been shown that children with parents that are incarcerated have a greater chance of doing poorly in school, developing behavior issues, and getting involved in the legal system themselves. The citizens are now fed up and no longer believe mass incarceration is in the best interest of the lives of our society's children. By establishing an Overnight Visitation Program it would allow children to enjoy the simple pleasures of parenthood by ; eating dinner at the table with their parent, having a bedtime story being read to them or being tucked under the covers at night. Inmates will be involved with children's homework, be able to discussing a child's academic, social or medical condition in depth or planning positive future goals upon release with their spouse. It will also reduce the chances of the inmate re-offending and therefore reducing the recidivism rate. Currently California, Mississippi, Connecticut, New Mexico , New York and Washington have successful family overnight visitation programs. They understand that preserving the bond of the family unit makes the chances of the inmates rehabilitation greater. Protecting the family bond does not just benefit the inmate, it is also important to the spouse and children to interact privately as a " normal family" even if it is only for a weekend. Of course , all the states are unified that these visits are a “not a right, but a privilege.” Prisoners must earn the opportunity to participate in this program and visitors must also meet certain criteria. As the author of this petition, I have personally been affected by having a loved one that is incarcerated. For me and the thousands of women in Massachusetts, being able to spend quality time with my loved one would prove invaluable to maintaining the sanctity and bond as a married couple and also create a major incentives for him to continue with positive behaviors and attitude until release. For the thousand of Massachusetts children who have a parent that is incarcerated , a weekend with their parent would prove invaluable to having their other parent be " engaged and supportive in their lives" . It is my sincerely hope that you consider the numbers of signatures in support of this program and implement this program immediately within the Mass DOC system.